Brendon_t Posted May 4, 2015 Report Share Posted May 4, 2015 I have been looking around for a suitable way to hold boards on my bench while planing and other general tasks. Without a tail vise, it becomes difficult to hold varying length boards enough to accomplish anything. I have seen the veritas wonder dog which is about what I'm looking for but just wondering if there are any other alternatives? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxdabroxx Posted May 4, 2015 Report Share Posted May 4, 2015 There is always the old screw in the benchtop, built in planing stop, or the toothed stops that drop in a dog hole. All of those things leave the workpiece loose on the bench though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted May 4, 2015 Report Share Posted May 4, 2015 You could install a tail vice.. You could drop in some T-Track.. Or, the wonder dog is a viable option. Suggest considering the long term needs of the bench when making your decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponderingturtle Posted May 4, 2015 Report Share Posted May 4, 2015 A wonder dog from Lee Valley would seem to do the job if you are looking for a top mount version of tail vise at least with respect to dogs. Of course if you don't need it pinched a large variety of other things come out like boards held down with hold fasts and so on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted May 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2015 You could install a tail vice.. You could drop in some T-Track.. Or, the wonder dog is a viable option. Suggest considering the long term needs of the bench when making your decision. The long term prospects of this bench is to be used as firewood. I get by with the current bench but am counting down the days until I build a big heavy monstrosity of a bench. Unfortunately, that's not on the short list of projects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted May 4, 2015 Report Share Posted May 4, 2015 Hold fast! Jorgenson makes a decent one, goes in a 5/8 hole is about 8" long and simple to operate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted May 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2015 Hold fasts aren't really an option. The bench top is only 1 5/8 thick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted May 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2015 I just came across the veritas inset "wagon" vise. Seems like a viable option Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted May 4, 2015 Report Share Posted May 4, 2015 The long term prospects of this bench is to be used as firewood. I get by with the current bench but am counting down the days until I build a big heavy monstrosity of a bench. Unfortunately, that's not on the short list of projects. Sounds like it needs to be moved up the priority list I just built this one for a friend of mine. The leg and rail material are Hemlock (I get that free) and he snagged a top at the Grizzly tent sale for 225 bucks. He still has to order the expensive hardware but, you really can do these inexpensively if you keep your eye out for good deals.. I think I showed some pics of the progress on this one in the chat channel??? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxdabroxx Posted May 4, 2015 Report Share Posted May 4, 2015 Or you could add a face vice in the tail position like I plan to do on my workbench. (If I ever finish it) Then you have the pop up dog and the ability to clamp like a regular vice if the need arises. That veritas inset vise is pretty nifty though. I just don't like the idea of metal in my workbench top if I can avoid it. I am sure I would ding a freshly sharpened chisel or plane on it personally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted May 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2015 When I finally get around to building a bench, I expect it to be the last bench I ever build. Recently, i have been experimenting a lot More with hand tools and I am reluctant to build a forever bench until I have my personal workflow ironed out. I have a face vise with the ability to hold but it doesn't do well with planing down the length of the piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted May 4, 2015 Report Share Posted May 4, 2015 When I finally hey around to building a bench, I expect it will be thelast bench I ever build. Recently, i have been experimenting a lot More with hams tools and I am reluctant to build a forever bench until I have my personal workflow ironed out. I have a face vise with the ability to hold but it doesn't do well with planing down the length of the piece. Very fair! Hard to plan a proper bench if you're not certain of the flow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted May 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2015 Here's the current bench. It's the $150 HF special that has done ok for me for the price. As you can see' there is a tail vise ( that is worthless) on the right end. I think the dog holes are spaced appropriately. Just need a way to hold the work solid on the long axis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted May 4, 2015 Report Share Posted May 4, 2015 Ok, it's a HF bench.. You need some clamping pressure out of that tail vise. I'm curious how you're not getting that out of it? I would think that would do as well as any contraption you could put in a dog hole? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted May 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2015 I have torn the tail vise off to try and figure that out also. The main problem is that it is made of such weak material that when a tiny bit of pressure is applied, it rocks back lifting the work piece 1/2 off of the table. I cold actually slightly beND the screw piece with hand pressure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted May 4, 2015 Report Share Posted May 4, 2015 Got ya.. I have one of those cheap vises on my OF table so, feel your pain. I'll be replacing that vise soon! So, just a thought.. How about replacing that vise with a good one that you can reuse on a future bench? Or, at a minimum, you can get most of your money out of. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted May 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2015 I have considered that. The problem I keep running into is that next to the bench on the right is a freezer. being right handed, I need to be able to plane from right to left starting about 20"in.otherwise, my elbow smacks that damn freezer. This is where I feel the bench dog option would shine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted May 4, 2015 Report Share Posted May 4, 2015 Well, the bench dog would certainly be less expensive than a new tail vise as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponderingturtle Posted May 4, 2015 Report Share Posted May 4, 2015 I have considered that. The problem I keep running into is that next to the bench on the right is a freezer. being right handed, I need to be able to plane from right to left starting about 20"in.otherwise, my elbow smacks that damn freezer. This is where I feel the bench dog option would shine. Many people advocate planing with just an end stop with out clamping the piece in a tail/wagon vise. Maybe look into those techniques instead of adding a different way to clamp onto that bench? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted May 4, 2015 Report Share Posted May 4, 2015 Two dog holes, two dogs, two tapered shims... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted May 5, 2015 Report Share Posted May 5, 2015 Brendon, Terry turned me onto some holdfast that will work with that thickness. They are Sjobergs ST03 and are sold thru the store like HD and Lowes that's up north (can't remember the name) they work damn well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted May 5, 2015 Report Share Posted May 5, 2015 Gargle for 'bird mouth batten', while you're at it. Really handy when planing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted May 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2015 Coop I'm definitely going to have to check them out. I never thought hold fasts would be an option with this bench. Wtn, if they will work I'm goint to give these a try. The only thing I could find was a video by englishwoodworker seems like a very viable option Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted May 5, 2015 Report Share Posted May 5, 2015 As my bench was already built, I couldn't use the drill press to drill the holes. My first 2 or three left a lot to be desired with a hand held drill, although it looked like I was drilling them straight. I finally bought a drill guide and now they're as perfect as I'll ever get. If you want to borrow the bit and guide, let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted May 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2015 I'm not seeing these as being available in the states. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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